WBBL: Chaotic final days sees defending champs miss finals

There was rain and storms and a six-wicket haul as the WBBL regular season came to a dramatic close to set up the finals.

Superstar seamer Megan Schutt became the first ever WBBL player to take six wickets in a match when she ripped through the Sydney Thunder line-up to secure second spot on the table after a final day of the regular season filled with havoc.

Defending champions the Perth Scorchers will not get the chance to win back-to-back titles after a rain ruined their chance of making the finals.

Their stunning early morning loss in Moe consigned them to fifth on a frantic Sunday which also saw the Strikers hold off a valiant Sydney Thunder outfit in champion Rachael Haynes’ final match to lock in passage straight to the “Challenger” final with Hobart and the Brisbane Heat also through.

“Really disappointed with the way today played out, especially after having a pretty good year last year,” said Scorchers coach Shelley Nitschke.

“We haven’t played good enough cricket for long enough.”

Grounds crew run out to put the covers on in Moe, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

The Sydney Sixers recorded a record-breaking eleventh win in WBBL08 after Ellyse Perry and Ash Gardner guided them home against the Hurricanes.

The Sixers eclipsed the previous record by becoming the first WBBL side ever to win eleven matches in a single home and away campaign, completing an inspiring turnaround after ending up with the wooden spoon last season.

In Sydney, Schutt ripped through the Thunder line-up to finish with figures of 6/19.

It spoiled Haynes’ farewell match, but the champion was sent off in style with a guard of honour.

“I knew I was ready (for retirement), but this week I went in and out of emotions,” said Haynes.

“I’m ready for the next challenge, it’s been really special.”

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 20: Rachael Haynes of Thunder walks off in her last game before retirement during the Women's Big Bash League match between the Sydney Thunder and the Adelaide Strikers at North Sydney Oval, on November 20, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Strikers skipper Tahlia McGrath said that Haynes was an “incredible person, incredible player and incredible leader” and that “she will be sorely missed” amongst cricketing circles.

McGrath was happy to secure second spot with the Strikers after an uncertain morning with every game having an effect on the make-up of the finals.

“At the start of the day we weren’t sure if we’d make finals or if we did which state we would play in,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Brisbane Heat will look to win a third WBBL title coming from third spot after their match with the Melbourne Stars was abandoned due to a lightning storm in Moe, denying them a chance to lock in a top two berth.

The Heat will face the Hobart Hurricanes who broke their lengthy finals drought, securing their first finals berth since WBBL02.

The Hurricanes snuck into fourth place but could have finished as high as second had they defeated the almighty Sixers unit.

Karen Rolton Oval will host both The Eliminator between the Heat and Hurricanes and The Challenger, between the Strikers and the winner of the Eliminator, whilst the Sixers have automatically progressed to The Final.

MOE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 20: Amelia Kerr of the Heat bats during the Women's Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Stars and the Brisbane Heat at Ted Summerton Reserve, on November 20, 2022, in Moe, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

SEASON REVIEWS

Sydney Thunder

The conclusion to retiring international superstar Rachael Haynes’ glittering career didn’t exactly go to plan. High hopes of a return to the finals were dashed early as losses piled up and even the presence of Haynes, who announced this season would be her last having also retired from international duties, couldn’t propel them to the wins they needed. But while Haynes will make an exit, the highlight for the Thunder has to be the continued emergence of teen star Phoebe Litchfield. The calls for her to advance to the Australian team started early and her 280 runs across the tournament, a team-high, was a strong indication the future of the national team looks good.

Perth Scorchers

The Scorchers missed out on the finals series for just the second time in their decorated history. Their batting depth was severely tested this season, with too much reliance being placed on the top order batters. Beth Mooney (434 runs) stamped her authority as one of the world’s best players by topping the competition’s run leaderboard, but the likes of Sophie Devine and Chloe Piparo failed to fire. Marizanne Kapp showcased her talents with both bat and ball (229 runs and 12 wickets) once more, whilst the spin bowling combination of Alana King and Lilly Mills was effective and will play a huge role in the Scorchers ability to bounce back next season.

MOE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 20: Holly Ferling of the Schorchers chases the ball over the fence during the Women's Big Bash League match between the Perth Scorchers and the Melbourne Renegades at Ted Summerton Reserve, on November 20, 2022, in Moe, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Melbourne Renegades

It was a season to forget for the Renegades, who won just four matches in WBBL08 after finishing second last season. Perhaps the biggest story of the season though was the heartbreaking injury to captain Sophie Molineux. Molineux, who topped the Gades wicket-taking charts, was fighting to return to the Australian set up after she found herself on the outer of the contract list. After missing the World Cup, Ashes and Commonwealth Games due to a stress fracture in her foot, the tournament loomed as a fantastic opportunity for her to present her case to the national selectors once more. With the bat, West Indian Hayley Matthews and youngster Courtney Webb were the only two batters to score more than 250 runs for the tournament, which underlined the struggles for the Renegades in the eighth edition of the competition.

Hobart Hurricanes

The Cane Train broke their lengthy finals drought this season, securing their first finals berth since WBBL02. It was a busy off-season for the Hurricanes, who brought in a new coach, new captain and half a dozen new players. South African Mignon du Preez has been arguably the best international import of the season after finishing the regular season with 366 runs, the third most of any player. The Tasmanian recruitment department have to get major credit for the list overhaul, with the likes of Elyse Villani, Lizelle Lee and Heather Graham all having an impact straight away. All-time WBBL leading wicket-taker Molly Strano keeps on keeping on too, adding a further 18 wickets to her tally this season.

Sydney Sixers

The Sixers put together the most dominant and comprehensive season in WBBL history, winning an unprecedented eleven out of fourteen matches. Everywhere you look there are stars on this side, but they’ve also managed to unearth some young talent too. Ellyse Perry, who has claims as the best female cricketer of all-time, amassed 375 runs, second to only Scorcher Beth Mooney. However, the drastic improvement from the Sixers has been a whole team effort, with five of the top eleven leading run scorers playing in pink this season. Ash Gardner has done severe damage with both bat (339 runs) and ball (23 wickets) and looms as a frontrunner for Player of the Tournament. Late in the season, Kate Peterson has made an immediate impact, taking ten wickets in the last three matches, something no other player has ever done in the history of the competition.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 20: Player of the Match Ellyse Perry of the Sixers poses after the Women's Big Bash League match between the Sydney Sixers and the Hobart Hurricanes at North Sydney Oval, on November 20, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Melbourne Stars

It’s been all about youth this year for the Stars. When superstar captain Meg Lanning took indefinite leave from the game it left a gaping hole at the top of the order, but it also provided several youngsters with greater opportunities. Annabel Sutherland has struggled to cement a spot in the Australian XI over the past year, but she did her chances of a full-time place there no harm with a scintillating season. Sutherland is the ultimate all-rounder having smashed 304 runs and taken 21 wickets across the season which included multiple matchwinning performances. Nicole Faltum took on the captaincy with aplomb, whilst Tess Flintoff and Sophie Day were other shining lights in a season where ultimately, the Stars narrowly missed finals. Expect this group to continue building and improving in WBBL09.

Brisbane Heat

The Heat relied on a nice blend of local talent and international class as they finished third on the ladder with a season record of 8-5. Georgia Redmayne (333) and Grace Harris (273) did most of the heavy lifting with the bat, whilst Nicola Hancock, Jess Jonassen and Amelia Kerr combined for over 60 wickets. Kerr’s return in particular was a welcome boost for the squad, after taking a break from the game last season to focus on her personal wellbeing. She struck 243 runs and took 19 wickets this season, reaffirming her status as one of the competition‘s best all-round weapons. After being knocked out in the Eliminator last year, the Heat will be hoping to go that little bit further this finals series.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 20: Megan Schutt of the Strikers celebrates the wicket of Hannah Darlington of Thunder during the Women's Big Bash League match between the Sydney Thunder and the Adelaide Strikers at North Sydney Oval, on November 20, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Adelaide Strikers

The Adelaide Strikers secured second place on the ladder and a home Challenger final after an impressive campaign. The Strikers relied heavily on their elite bowling line-up in WBBL08, with the likes of Megan Schutt (leading tournament wicket-taker), Amanda Wellington and Jemma Barsby causing opposition batters headaches. Even if the batters struggled, the internal belief with the Adelaide girls was so strong that they backed themselves to defend low totals. The Strikers benefited from having a settled side throughout the season after going into the new year relatively unchanged. South African Laura Wolvaardt and Australian Katie Mack formed a formidable one-two punch with the bat, combining for over 650 runs. The Strikers have a golden opportunity approaching the WBBL08 finals series now to secure that elusive title.

Originally published as WBBL: Chaotic final days sees defending champs miss finals